Funeral services were recently held for 99 year old McMinnville resident Ina R. Kuckleburg at the Trinity Lutheran Church, McMinnville, with Pastor Mark Pederson officiating.

Mrs. Kuckleburg died December 10, 2003, in her home. Private interment is scheduled in Port Orchard, Washington.

She was born April 2, 1904, in Lincoln, NE., daughter of William H. and Augusta Smith Ames. In 1912, the family moved to Rapid City, SD, where she attended school.

She and Charles (Chuck) Knukleburg married July 19, 1928, in Belle Fourche, SD. In 1944, they moved to Presho, SD, where they lived among Sioux Indians for 17 years. She was the chief telephone operator there. She continued working for the Telephone Company after moving to Mitchell, SD. She retired in 1966 after more than 40 years with the company.

Mrs. Kuckleburg moved to Port Orchard in 1971 and lived there until moving to McMinnville in 1990. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and Trinity Lutheran Church in McMinnville. She loved horses and other animals and enjoyed knitting, gardening, cooking, playing the piano, quilting and church work. She also loved sports. Her friends said, "It was a blessing to know her."

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1990 and by a brother.

Mrs. Kuckleburg is survived by many cousins.

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